The current elephant poaching epidemic is unprecedented, the illegal ivory trade is an international issue and every nation can help to save the elephant from imminent extinction. Really? Elephants are certainly a globally iconic species, but does the ivory trade actually percolate to the ends of the Earth? The answer is yes, indeed. A recent report finds that even New Zealand plays a consistent and increasing role as an ivory importer and re-exporter, with an increasing domestic demand.

New Zealand's population of just 4.4 million inhabit two tiny islands peacefully afloat in the South Pacific. In that 'charming' accent we call ourselves ‘Kiwis', are renowned for playing great rugby and making block-buster movies. Yet, like anyone else, we have an appetite for lattes and the occasional shopping spree. Unfortunately for elephants, that appetite extends to ivory too.

Not seen as a ‘big player' in the global ivory trade, numbers alone can be deceiving. According to the comprehensive "A Report on the New Zealand Trade in Ivory 1980 – 2012" (April 2014), on a per capita basis for ivory carving imports from 2009 to 2012, New Zealand easily tops the United States-- a globally-significant ivory consumer nation. In fact, a whopping 78% of all ivory items imported into New Zealand since the 1989 trade-ban occur over just a three year period, from 2010 to 2012.

Not immune to illegal trading in ivory either, 791 ivory items have been confiscated by New Zealand authorities over the years -- including 80 tusks, 564 carvings, numerous ivory pieces and teeth. Most of these were confiscated on their way into the country. And, the first conviction for illegally trading in ivory in New Zealand occurred just last year. The defendant was reported to have traded in ivory as art, and on a more sinister note, with a view to gain from those purchases as an investment.

A top New Zealand auction house reported a ‘boom' in the domestic ivory market during 2012, as competition continued to drive prices well above estimated values. In line with global trends, current popularity and the increasing rarity value of ivory, items available for sale on-line, at auction houses and antique shops throughout the countrycommand high prices. Earrings can fetch around NZD$50, a necklace, bracelet or small carving (netsuke) can fetch hundreds of dollars, and larger carvings can fetch thousands.

Re-exports of ivory have increased dramaticallytoo, with more than 1,200 items of ivory leaving New Zealand shores during 2012 alone. In fact, 41% of all ivory re-exported since the 1989 trade-ban occur over just the three-year period 2010 to 2012. The ivory is destined for Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States -- andChina has emerged as a new top destination.

It appears some serious ivory enthusiasts have both arrived in and left the country more recently too, with individual records of between 50 and 278 ivory items for ‘personal use'. The report notes that while these items were not imported or re-exported for commercial purposes, without a tracking system there is potential for the ivory to end up on the market once in New Zealand or other destination country.

Much of this trade is in pre-ban ivory, but ivory items of unknown and wild origin have been imported and re-exported since 2007 as well. Aside from the occasional hunting trophy import, which appears to be gaining popularity, it is not immediately clear how all of these items were eligible for import or re-export under the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulations -- as they were not noted as ‘pre-ban'.

Despite this increased trading, there remains no domestic regulations in New Zealand requiring evidence of an items age or source, and few items include proof of their legal eligibility for trade at point of sale.

A confiscated ivory crush event and a ban of the ivory trade altogether are at the top of the list of recommendations in the report, along with an investigation into specific trade matters. Overall, the report notes that the New Zealand trade in ivory is ‘not complimentary' to the international efforts to reduce demand for ivory, as a means to reduce elephant poaching.

This call to the New Zealand Government to crush its confiscated ivory stockpile is formally supported by the African Wildlife Foundation, Born Free Foundation, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Environmental Investigation Agency, Humane Society International, Tanzania Association of Tour Operators and Wildlife Conservation Society.

The report supports a petition, lead by New Zealand teacher and passionate animal advocate Ms Virginia Woolf, requesting the government ban all ivory trade, support a global ban, and implement harsher penalties for illegal trading. Both documents are now registered with the New Zealand House of Representatives.

With its current inaction, New Zealand is lagging well behind other countries -- such as the Philippines, United States, France, and Belgium -- but can choose to show leadership in the Oceania Region now, by being the first nation in the South Pacific to destroy its confiscated ivory stockpile. An important show of ‘no tolerance' for illegal trade, a crush event would also raise awareness about the negative effects of the trade -- on elephant populations, people and security -- a valuable precursor to moves to ban all trade in ivory.

New Zealand can choose to match its ‘anti-nuke' policy of the 1980s with a definitive ‘Say No to Ivory' stance. As the main destination for ivory re-exports from New Zealand, perhaps Australiashould rise to this challenge too.